ANPR technology for weighbridges

Avery Weigh-Tronix and ADT, the UK’s leading provider of electronic fire and security solutions, are working together to offer automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology as part of a standard weighbridge system for the first time in the UK. Using ANPR will help make data collection simpler, more accurate and faster.

ADT’s ANPR system is a CCTV-based application that uses specialist cameras to allow identification, logging and monitoring of vehicle number plates. Using optical character-recognition (OCR) software, the system is able to ignore all extraneous information and store only the relevant number plate data. ADT cameras meet the National ACPO ANPR Standard (NAAS).

When used as part of a weighbridge system, the vehicle registration number is converted into an ASCII file and saved in a database together with weight and other data. Typically, a vehicle will approach the weighbridge and the camera will record its registration number. Once the number plate has been recognized the vehicle will be weighed and processed. On exiting the site, the ANPR will identify the registration number again and the weighbridge will capture the vehicle weight so that the amount of material loaded can be calculated.

Campbell Deas, general manager for weighbridge technology at Avery Weigh-Tronix, commented: ‘Developments such as ANPR technology automate data entry for simpler and faster operation. This helps minimize input errors and reduces vehicle queuing.’

For unmanned operations, the cameras can be used 24h a day as they are sensitive to infrared and have their own infrared light source. They can be mounted on bollards or posts to suit the application and are protected in IP67 vandal-proof and corrosion-resistant enclosures. The cameras can be used as part of a LAN or WAN network and can be hardwired or utilize WI/FI transmission where cabling is not possible.

Mobile hand-held readers are also available for sites that have only one weighbridge. This allows an operator to pre-book registrations into the system before vehicles drive on to the weighbridge, thereby helping to avoid site congestion.